“We are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere free of offensive symbols," the statement read. "This is an opportunity for NASCAR Nation to demonstrate its sense of mutual respect and acceptance for all who attend our events while collectively sharing the tremendous experience of NASCAR racing.”

The statement shows a consistent pattern from the organization to disassociate itself from the flag.

NASCAR chairman Brian France told the Associated Press on June 27 that the organization would "go as far as we can to eliminate the presence of that flag."

NASCAR, with a deep-routed interest in the South, is faced with a difficult task. The flag flies regularly at camp sites at races and in large crowds, making it harder to police. Regardless, France said last week the organization will be pushing hard to reverse the trend.

"That's what we're working on — working on how far can we go," he told the AP.

The flag will not be banned at the Coke Zero 400 on Sunday at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida. Instead, the venue will hold a Confederate flag exchange for fans so spectators can swap a Confederate flag for an American one.

“For us, we’re celebrating the American Flag this weekend," Joie Chitwood, president of Daytona International Speedway, told NBC. "It’s our nation’s birthday. We’re going to have a flag exchange opportunity. So fans who would like to fly the American Flag, we’ll trade with you on whatever flag you have. We want you to celebrate that flag this weekend."

Chitwood also said the track would explore its options on how best to deal with the Confederate flag at future races. In addition, a NASCAR spokesperson told Yahoo Sports that the flag exchange could take place at other tracks as well.

Banning the flag would not become a free-speech issue in most states since NASCAR is a private entity. And based on its chairman's comments, this appears to only be the beginning of an aggressive push to get the flag off NASCAR grounds.

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